Description
The painting "The Races. Before the Start" by French artist Edgar Degas is a stunning work of art that captures the excitement and movement of a horse race. With an original size of 27 x 35 cm, this painting is one of Degas' most outstanding works and represents one of the best examples of Impressionism.
Degas' artistic style is characterized by his ability to capture movement and light in his paintings. In "The Races. Before the Start", Degas uses an impressionist technique to create a sense of movement in the scene. The painting is done with loose, fast brush strokes, which create a sense of movement and energy.
The composition of the painting is also impressive. Degas uses an unusual perspective for the time, placing the viewer at the center of the action. The view is from ground level, and the horses and riders appear to be running towards the viewer. This creates a sense of immediacy and emotion in the scene.
The use of color in the painting is also impressive. Degas uses a bright, vivid color palette to create a sense of light and shadow in the scene. Colors blend and blend into each other, creating a sense of movement and dynamism in the painting.
The history of the painting is also fascinating. It was painted in 1869, during a period of great interest in horse racing in France. The painting shows the jockeys and horses preparing for the race, and you can feel the tension and excitement in the scene.
There are some little-known aspects of painting that are also interesting. For example, Degas was a big fan of horse racing and regularly attended them. The painting is also known to have been exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1869, where it received rave reviews.
In short, "The Races. Before the Start" is an impressive painting that captures the excitement and movement of a horse race. With its impressionistic artistic style, unusual composition, and use of color, this painting is one of Edgar Degas' most outstanding works. Its little-known history and aspects also make it even more fascinating.